EU Directives to stay
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The RSPB has welcomed this week's announcement that the British government won't renegotiate the Nature Directives.
In a statement given to the EU Environmental Council meeting in Brussels, Environment Minister Rory Stewart said that it was better implementation of the directives that was needed rather than renegotiation. “Biodiversity is absolutely at the core of our society, of our economy, and of course is valuable in and of itself,” he said.
Michael Clarke, Chief Executive of the RSPB, said: “We welcome the minister’s commitment to work with others to improve the implementation of these vital laws, and acknowledge his comments regarding the challenges that lie ahead. The RSPB is committed to working with all four governments to improve the way the Nature Directives are put into practice for wildlife, people and businesses. A focus on implementation not only provides certainty for business but also allows us to get on with the job of saving nature.”
The Nature Directives are the foundation of nature conservation across Europe and are scientifically proven to be effective where properly implemented. They deliver demonstrable protection for nature, as well as significant social and economic benefits.
Environment ministers from all over the EU recognised this when they unanimously supported conclusions that halting the loss of European wildlife will be impossible without the Nature Directives. This is an important milestone in efforts to defend the nature directives. However, the RSPB says that we must not lose sight of the need to increase efforts on nature conservation and develop a plan of action to fully implement those Directives.
Between April and July 2015, a record number of 550,000 people across Europe took part in a public consultation on this issue, with the overwhelming majority who responded backing the Nature Directives and asking for such stronger implementation.
In a statement given to the EU Environmental Council meeting in Brussels, Environment Minister Rory Stewart said that it was better implementation of the directives that was needed rather than renegotiation. “Biodiversity is absolutely at the core of our society, of our economy, and of course is valuable in and of itself,” he said.
Michael Clarke, Chief Executive of the RSPB, said: “We welcome the minister’s commitment to work with others to improve the implementation of these vital laws, and acknowledge his comments regarding the challenges that lie ahead. The RSPB is committed to working with all four governments to improve the way the Nature Directives are put into practice for wildlife, people and businesses. A focus on implementation not only provides certainty for business but also allows us to get on with the job of saving nature.”
The Nature Directives are the foundation of nature conservation across Europe and are scientifically proven to be effective where properly implemented. They deliver demonstrable protection for nature, as well as significant social and economic benefits.
Environment ministers from all over the EU recognised this when they unanimously supported conclusions that halting the loss of European wildlife will be impossible without the Nature Directives. This is an important milestone in efforts to defend the nature directives. However, the RSPB says that we must not lose sight of the need to increase efforts on nature conservation and develop a plan of action to fully implement those Directives.
Between April and July 2015, a record number of 550,000 people across Europe took part in a public consultation on this issue, with the overwhelming majority who responded backing the Nature Directives and asking for such stronger implementation.
